Advancing child health and immunization through decades of community-based medical leadership and global advocacy.
Dr. Naveen Thacker is a renowned Indian pediatrician and a leading Global advocate for immunization and polio eradication. His commitment began in 1993, when a polio outbreak inspired him to champion vaccination efforts. From serving as President of the Indian Academy of Pediatrics, he became the first Indian to lead the International Pediatric Association as Executive Director and President of IPA. He also served on the India Expert Advisory Group on Polio for over 10 years, where he guided national polio eradication efforts. Dr. Thacker promotes community engagement, trusted local voices, and innovative approaches like the 107 strategy, which focused on 107 specific sub-district units where polio cases were recurring. Through this strategy, the Indian team discovered that people were more receptive to the vaccine when their broader community needs were addressed, such as water delivery and infrastructure needs. He continues to combat challenges such as misinformation and vaccine hesitancy, driving efforts toward a future free of polio and preventable childhood diseases.